Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland Opens for its 20th Year in York

Get ready to feel properly festive, because Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland is back at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York, and this year is a big one. The much-loved winter event is celebrating its 20th anniversary season, and it has returned with all the festive fun a family could ask for. Think of it as a one-stop shop for Christmas magic. There's the huge outdoor ice rink, a vintage funfair, a chance to meet Santa, and some brilliant shopping opportunities all rolled into one amazing day out. It’s basically everything needed to get into the Christmas spirit, whether you're a kid or just a big kid at heart.

A magical launch for a milestone anniversary

The celebrations for the 20th anniversary are kicking off in style. The opening night on 14th November 2025 will see the whole place come alive with a spectacular light switch-on. Imagine a stunning woodland scene with giant trees lit up by colourful neon ropes, creating the perfect backdrop for some winter skating. It was a proper spectacle! The evening was hosted by YorkMix radio, and even had some special guests from the Joseph Rowntree Theatre’s panto, The Adventures of Peter Pan. Captain Hook and Peter Pan themselves were there to welcome everyone.

The big moment came when nine-year-old ‘Young Star’ Harper Wrigglesworth from York switched on the lights, after a grand countdown led by Town Crier Ben Fry. To top it off, professional skaters Jack Gilbert and Ami-Lee put on an incredible performance on the ice, showing everyone how it’s done. It was the perfect start to a season of festive fun at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland.

Georgi Wood, the Event Director, shared the excitement:

“We are so excited to be celebrating the milestone of our 20th anniversary this year. So many people have grown up with a visit to the ice rink or funfair as part of their festive celebrations. As always we have introduced some new decorations around the site, and hope everyone will enjoy the spectacle of our electric trees beside the rink, making Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland the perfect place for the festive selfie and some great winter exercise!”

Get your skates on at the ice factor

The centrepiece of the whole event is, of course, the magnificent outdoor ice rink. And it’s not just any rink; it’s the largest in the North of England, a whopping 975 square metres of glistening ice. In the middle stands a sparkling 30ft Christmas tree, making every glide feel like a scene from a Christmas film. This isn't just a patch of ice; it’s a full-on experience called the Ice Factor.

The whole area is designed to make visitors feel like they've stepped into an Alpine village. The skate hire marquee is decorated with vintage posters, and the Chalet café is the perfect spot to warm up afterwards. This spectacular setup is why The Sunday Times called it one of the most 'fabulously festive and magical' ice rinks in the country. The rink is open every day except Christmas Day, with plenty of 45-minute skating sessions available. For keen skaters, there’s even a Frequent Skater Pass – after five visits, the sixth one is free! It's the perfect winter activity for family and friends.

More than just skating: the funfair and food

What if skating isn't your thing? No problem. The festive fun continues at the funfair. There’s something for everyone, from thrill-seekers who love the Waltzer and Twister to those who prefer a classic. And speaking of classics, the Brooklands Dodgems from 1937 are back! This vintage ride is a beautiful piece of fairground history. For younger children, there are four brilliant rides, including new Jets and Train rides, so they won’t feel left out.

After all that excitement, some tasty food is definitely in order. The Chalet is a cosy, Alpine-themed café where visitors can grab a hot chocolate or mulled wine and watch the skaters. For something more substantial, the outdoor German Grill serves up gourmet sausages. And for a truly special experience, groups can book one of the wooden picnic cabins overlooking the Enchanted Woodland. It’s the perfect spot to refuel and soak up the festive atmosphere. There's plenty of fun to be had for everyone.

Step into the enchanted woodland and meet santa

For a truly magical experience, a walk through the Enchanted Woodland is a must. This twinkling trail is filled with giant woodland creatures and hidden surprises. Children can search for wish potions, meet Wilson the Wise Owl, and even spot Stardust the Unicorn. The path leads to a glowing Wishing Cauldron, where everyone can drop in their dreams and watch them come to life with a bit of Christmas magic.

And what’s at the end of this magical woodland walk? A glittering light tunnel that leads straight to Santa himself! Tucked away in his cosy log cabin Grotto, Santa is ready to meet all the good children and give them a special gift. A visit to the Grotto is the perfect way to make this Christmas unforgettable for the little ones. It's an experience designed to bring Christmas wishes to life for the whole family.

A bit of christmas shopping and giving back

Being located at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York means Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland is also the perfect place to get a head start on the Christmas shopping. With top brands at discounted prices, it's easy to find presents for everyone on the list. For those visiting in groups, there’s an extra 10% discount at certain stores when booked online.

This year, there's also a chance to spread some festive cheer to those in need. The event has teamed up with YorkMix for the Children’s Toy Appeal 2025. Visitors can donate new, unwrapped gifts for children up to 16 years old at Santa’s Workshop. These presents will be delivered to children across York and Selby, ensuring they have a gift to open on Christmas Day.

Paul Tyler, the Centre Manager, said:

“Christmas at York Designer Outlet just wouldn’t be the same without Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland. For many families, the event has become a cherished fixture in their festive calendar... The ice rink has become a real pillar of the community, bringing together families, couples, and individuals during the festive season to create lasting memories.”

Planning your festive family day out

Ready to plan a visit? Booking ahead for the ice rink and Santa’s Grotto is a good idea to avoid disappointment, as this popular festive event gets busy. All the essential information for tickets and booking is here.

• Ice Rink Tickets: Skating sessions are 45 minutes long. Adult tickets are £15.95, and children/concessions are £14.95. Family packages are available. For parents with toddlers (under 4), tickets are £15.95 on term-time weekdays. Autism-friendly quiet sessions run on Tuesdays at 10.15 am until 16th December.
• Santa's Grotto Tickets: Tickets to see Santa are £7 per child, plus a £1.50 family booking fee. Reservations are required and can be made online.
• Funfair: Tokens for the funfair can be bought on-site.

Here are Santa’s Grotto opening times to help with the booking:

Dates	Times
14 to 27 November (Weekdays)	11am – 5pm
28 November	10am - 5.30pm
1 to 4 December (Weekdays)	11am – 5pm
5 to 19 December (Weekdays)	10am - 5.30pm
15 November to 21 December (Saturdays)	9.30am – 6pm
15 November to 21 December (Sundays)	9.30am – 5.30pm (until 5pm on 16th Dec)
22 to 23 December	10am - 6pm
Christmas Eve	10am – 3pm

This winter, Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland offers the perfect festive day out for the whole family, combining skating, funfair rides, a magical meeting with Santa, and a spot of Christmas shopping.